Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have repelled another attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 15, 2026, when the terrorists launched a coordinated assault on the military position from two different directions.
The troops, however, detected the movement before the attackers could reach the base and quickly moved to contain the assault.
Politics Nigeria reports that the operation was carried out by personnel of the 162 Amphibious Battalion, which has been involved in several counter-insurgency operations around the Mandaragirau axis.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
Goni said the terrorists began their attack at about 2:00 a.m., approaching the military location simultaneously from two fronts.
He said the early warning and surveillance systems deployed around the base helped troops identify the advancing fighters and respond before they could breach the position.
According to him, one of the military combat teams was immediately sent out to intercept the attackers along one of the routes they were using.
“On detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, a combat team was promptly dispatched to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.”
The interception resulted in a fierce exchange of gunfire between the troops and the insurgents.
Goni said the soldiers eventually overpowered the attackers and prevented them from advancing towards the base.
A second group of terrorists reportedly attempted to take another route into the military camp after the first group was engaged.
The plan also failed.
“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp, but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated,” he explained.
The military said the coordinated response forced the insurgents to retreat from the area.
Troops then moved after the fleeing fighters and carried out an exploitation of the area where the confrontation occurred, as well as the routes used by the terrorists during their withdrawal.
Several weapons and other items were recovered during the operation.
Goni said the recovered equipment included AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG bombs and chargers, as well as a camcorder and other items used by the terrorists.
“In a clear demonstration of tactical proficiency and combat dominance, the troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines,” he said.
The military also said surveillance footage obtained after the operation showed some of the attackers dragging the bodies of their dead colleagues away from the area towards the Timbuktu Triangle.
“Subsequent footage obtained from the surveillance systems further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their cohorts killed towards the Timbuktu Triangle,” Goni added.
The Army did not give an exact figure for the number of ISWAP fighters killed during the encounter. It, however, said several terrorists were neutralised during the fighting.
Goni also confirmed that no Nigerian Army personnel was killed in the latest attack.
“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” he stressed.
The 162 Amphibious Battalion has also carried out patrols and security operations around the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari axis, with troops previously arresting suspected terrorist logistics operatives and recovering items believed to be connected to insurgent activities.
The latest attack also came several months after another deadly assault on the Mandaragirau base.
In June, terrorists attacked the same military position during heavy rainfall and poor visibility.
Five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during that encounter, while troops said they succeeded in preventing the attackers from taking control of the base.
That earlier attack had placed renewed attention on the security situation around the area and the continued attempts by insurgents to target military positions in Borno.
The August 15 assault was different in outcome, with the military reporting no casualty among its personnel and claiming that the attackers suffered heavy losses.
The use of surveillance and early warning systems also played an important role in the latest operation.
According to the Army, troops were able to identify the movement of the terrorists before they reached the base, allowing the combat team to prepare an interception.
The military said the attackers’ decision to approach from two directions did not prevent troops from responding effectively.
After the insurgents were forced to withdraw, troops pursued them and searched the areas along their escape routes.
The operation also resulted in the recovery of weapons that could have been used in future attacks against military positions or civilian communities.
Goni described the outcome as a reflection of the preparedness of troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai.
He said the successful defence of the base demonstrated the readiness of the troops and their ability to respond to coordinated terrorist attacks.
“The successful defeat of this multi-pronged attack further highlights the high state of readiness, aggressive posture, and operational effectiveness of OPHK troops with the additional impetus from the military high command,” he said.
The Theatre Command subsequently commended the officers and soldiers of the 162 Amphibious Battalion for their response during the attack.
